Steam cylinder valve gear



Nov. 29, "1949 E. J. LIF-NER 2;489,9'l`l` STEAM CYLINDER VALVE GEAR Filed June 16, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR n) y md A T TORNE Y Nov. 29, 1949 y E, J, L lFYNER 2,489,911

STEAM CYLINDER VALVE GEAR Filed Jun 16, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ema JLJfnsr' INVENTOR ATTQRNEY 4 Nov. 29, 1949 v E. J. L IFNER STEAM CYLINDER vALvE GEAR Filed June` 16, 1944 e sheets-sheet 4 6 H040 7 .3.9 I 4 F.: g. v4 5 //0 t E11 ///'J f/a ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1949 E. J. LII-NER 2,489,911

I STEAM CYLINDER VALVE GEAR Fld June 16, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VENT OR A TT ORNE Y Nov. 29, 1949 E. J. LIFNER 2,489,911

STEAM CYLINDER VALVE GEAR Filed June 1e, .1944 s sheets-Sheet e INVENTOH BY Mw ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1949 E.' J. LIFNER STEAM CYLINDER VALVE GEAR 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 16, 1944 EN 5' LZ 1197er IN VEN TOR ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1949 E. J. LIFNER 2,489,911

STEAM CYLINDER VALVE GEAR Filed June 16, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 0' fig. i4.

/FlzguZ /0 603 9 5/ 67 F L y 1 /05 /0 96 93 90 98 .94 99 95 92 7 m5 64 E' F15' ZL/1197er INVENTOR Patented Nov. 29, A1949 STEAM CYLINDER vALvE GEAR Eric J. Lifner, Newark, N. J., assigner toWorthington Pump and Machinery Corporation, Harrison, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application June 16, 1944, Serial No. 540,647

This invention relates to steam cylinder valve gears, and more particularly to a valve gear for single direct-acting pumps.

An object of the present invention is to provide a steam cylinder valve gear embodying a, steam chest of such design as to facilitate formation of the steam ports therein.

Another object is to provide in a steam cylinder valve gear, a steam chest of relatively simple design wherein in one embodiment thereof, omitting steam chest heads, the structure comprises a single casting; and wherein in another embodiment thereof, omitting steam chest heads, the structure comprises a single casting and a cover, but in which the steam ports in either case are so arranged as to greatly simplify all boring or coring operations.

Another object is to provide a, steam chest em bodying a pilot valve or auxiliary slide valve and a valve seat or face co-acting therewith for controlling the flow of 1ive steam and exhaust steam through the several ports in the steam chest, and in which means are embodied for bringing the pilot valve into proper seating engagement with the valve face when the individual parts of the steam chest are assembled and for compensating for wear on the pilot valve, the valve face or both.

A further object is to provide a steam chest embodying a pilot valve or auxiliary slide valve having an operating valve rod connected therewith and passing through stuing boxes, and in which the live steam ports and the exhaust steam ports are so arranged as to subject the stuffing boxes to exhaust steam pressure only to thereby decrease the necessary gland pressure for eiecting a seal, thus reducing friction and prolonging the life of both the packing and the Valve rod.

With these and other objects in view, as may appear from the accompanying specification, the invention consists of Various features of construction and combination of parts, which will be first described in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing a steam cylinder valve gear of a preferred form embodying the invention, and

the features forming the invention will be specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional View of 'a steam cylinder valve gear in accordance with the present inve-n tion and as applied to a steam cylinder.,l

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure l, with portions thereof shown in elevation. y Figure 3 is an enlarged and partial sectional 2 Claims. (Cl. 121-157) view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the steam chest structure showing its pilot valve and main piston Valve in vone position, the section being' taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a face view of a pilot valve and its co-acting valve face.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the pilot valve and main piston valve in another operating position, and being a section taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 'l is a view similar to Figure 5 but illustrating the pilot valve in the corresponding po.A

sition of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional View taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but illus- -trating a modied structure.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line lll-lll of Figure 112V.

Figure 11 is a, horizontal sectional view of the steam chest structure of Figure 10, but with certain parts shown in elevation.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l2|2 of Figure 10, but with certain parts removed for the sake of clearness.

Figure 13 is a sectional View taken along theA line I3--I 3 of Figure 10.

Figure 14 is a sectional view illustrating a piston type pilot valve in association with co-acting steam ports, 'with the pilot valve located in one extreme position.

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line |5-I5 of Figure 12, with the pilot valve located in the corresponding position of Figure 14. l

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line lli- I6 of Figure 12, but showing thepilot valve in its other extreme position.

Figure 17 is a sectional detail view similar'to Figure 14 but illustrating the lpilot valve in the corresponding position of Figure 16. v

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a steam cylinder valve gear l in association with' a steam cylinder 2. A reciprocating piston `El is contained in the steam cylinder 2 and is attached to a piston rod 4 which extends through a stuiilng box 5 for connection with the liquid piston body of a direct-acting pump (not shown). The valve gear I includes a sliding pilot valve 6 and a main piston valve l. In Figure l, a valve rod 8 is connected with the .pilot valve for moving the pilot valve 6 back and iorth, as through the medium of a lever 9 and a link It, and a valve rod link 8. A tie rod II serves as a mount for a cross stand I2 upon which the lever 9 is pivotally connected intermediate its ends, as in I3. A piston rod spool i4 is attached to the piston rod 4, and the link Il] is pivotally connected `with both the spool and the lever 9 to impart pivotal movement'to the latter through reciprocation of the piston rod 4. The lever 3 is pivotally connected at I5 with a tappet I6 slidably mounted on the valve rod link 8', and the tappet is conned between collars I'I which are adjustably secured to the valve rod link. Since the valve rod' link 8' is oscillated slightly when reciprocated by the lever 9, the valve rod link is pivotally connected at 9 with the valve rod 8.

The main piston valve 'I controls the admission and exhaust of steam to the ends of the steam cylinder 2, while the pilot valve E controls the admission and exhaust of steam to the-ends of the valve chest for actuating the main pistonvalve 1.

The main piston valve 'I is`slidably contained in a bore I8 in the steam chest body I9, the latter being xedly secured to the steam cylinder 2. Steam chest covers 2D are bolted to the ends of the body I3 to confine the main piston valve 'I in the bore I8.

Upon the steam chest body I9 is mounted a cover 2| which is provided with a chamber 22 for housing the pilot valve 23. In Figures 3 through 7, the steam chest body i9 is provided With a flat Valve face or seat 24 upon which the pilot valve 6 is slidably mounted. This flat face is confined in the chamber 22, and this chamber is supplied with live steam through the medium of a port 2S which communicates with a steamv inlet passage 2 in the steam chest body i9 (see Figure 8). The body i9 is provided with a threaded opening 28 for connection with a steam supply pipe (not shown). v

Referring to Figure 2, the steam inlet passage 27 includes two branches 29, and these branches communicate 'with ports 33 and 3I in the valve chest body I3. Both ports 30 and 3| extend circumferentially of the bore I 8 and have communication therewith. An exhaust steam passage 32 is provided in the steam chest body I9 and communicates with a port 33 extending circumferentially of the bore i8 and having communication therewith, the port 33 opening through the valve face 24. A threaded opening 34 is provided in the steam vchest body Isfor connection with an exhaust steam pipe (not shown). The port 33. is located equal distances from the ports 3B and 3i.

The steam chest body I9` also includes two ports 35 and 36 having communication with ports 3'.' and 38, respectively, in. the steam cylinder-.2, seeFigure l. Theports 35 and 35 are located on Qppositesides offthe centrally located exhaust steam port 33, and both ports extendcircumerentially ofthe bore I8 and have4 communication therewith. Figures 3, 4, and 6 illustratethe steam chest body i9 as being provided with two live steam ports Silv and 4Q and two. exhaust steam ports 4*! and 42. All the ports 35i-through 42 open through the valve face 24 and communi'- eate with the bore I8, the steam port 39fand the exhaustport 4I leading into one end of the bore I8, with the steam port 49 and the exhaust port 42- leading into the other enjd of thebore. Each steam port 3S and-41B includes a starting port 43;-

having communication with the bore I8, in addition to having full capacity communication when the main piston valve 'I has been advanced predetermined distances in the bore I8. Thus the passages 33 and 40 place the bore I8 ln communication with the live steam chamber 22, the communication being controlled by the position of the pilot'- valve 23 on'the valve face 24. Figure 4 illustrates the pilot valve 6 in one extreme position, at which time the port 40 has communication with the bore I8 and the chamber 22, while Figure 6 illustrates the pilot valve 6 in the other extreme position, at which time the port 39 has communication with the bore I8 and the live steam chamber 22.

Communication between the ports 4i and 42 and the exhaust port 33 is controlled by the position of the pilot valve 6. Figure 4 illustrates the exhaust port 4I as having communication with the port 33 through the medium of a passage 4'4 in the-pilot valve 6. With the pilot valve 6 nthe other extreme position of Figure 6, the.

exhaust steam port 42A communicates with thev port33 through the medium ofthe passage 44. It will be noted that both exhaust steam ports 4i and 42 open into the bore I8 slight distances from the steam chest covers 20 so that steam is trapped between the ends of the main piston valve 'I as it approaches either of its extreme positions for cushioning purposes.

The pilot valve 6 is provided with a flat face 45 which bears against the valve face 24; In the extreme position of the pilot valve 6, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the port 39 is completely closed and the port 4B is completely uncovered. At the same time, the passage 44 communicates with the two ports 33 and 4I and the port 42 is completely uncovered. Thus when the pilot valve 6 is moved from the position of Figure 7 to that of Figure 5, both ports 40 and 42'are uncovered for communication with the live steam chamber 22. During such movementY of the pilot valve 6, live steam is admitted to the bore I8 upon uncovering of the port 40, and additional live steam is admitted from the port 42 when the main piston valve 'i has moved from right to left a distance sufficient to uncover the end of the port 42 having communication with the bore I 8. Similarly when the pilot valve 6 is moved from the position of Figure 5 to that of Figure 7, thefport 40 is completely covered, the ports 33 and 4I are placed in communication one `with the other, and the ports 39 and 4I are completely uncovered. Live steam is then admitted from the port 39 to the bore I3, and additional live steam is admitted to the bore upon movement of the piston valve 'l suiciently far to uncover the exhaust port 4I. The exhaust steam ports 4I. and 42 therefore coact with the steam ports 39 and 40,- respectively, to supplyA live steam to the bore I8,y in addition to their exhaust functions with respect to the port 33.

The mai-n'pistonvalive T is provided-with' cylindrical-heads and 41. each having .peripheral engagementjwlth the face-of the-bore I8 for sealing purposes. The mainv piston valve. 'I also includes two cylindrical heads orfanges 48 and 49, each having peripheral engagement with the face of the bore [8 for' sealing purposes. Webs 5i) connect the Vhead 46 with the vflange 48, and webs 5| connect the head 41 with the Harige 49. All the parts of the main piston valve may be formed integrally, and the Webs and 5I are spaced one from the otherlcircumierentially of the axis of the main piston valve to provide passages 52 and 53, respectively. A central passage 54 is provided in the body portion 55 of the main piston valve 1. The heads 46 and 41 and the ilanges 48 and 49 are arranged in such axial spacing one from the other as to provide annular passages 56, 51, and 58 extending circumferentially of the main pilot valve 1.

With the pilot valve 6 in the position of Figures 4 and 5, live steam is first admitted to the bore I8 from the chamber 22 through the steam passage 46 and then from the exhaust port 42 for driving the main piston valve 1 to the position of Figure 4. During such movement of the main piston valve 1, steam is exhausted from the other end of the bore I8 through the port 4|, the passage 44 and into the exhaust port 33,.the latter communicating with the passage 32. As the main piston valve 1 is brought to the position of Figure 4, the flanges 48 and 49 maintain the ports 35 and 36 isolated one from the other, but live steam from the port 30 flows through the passage 54 and through the port 36, in addition to the live steam admitted to the port 36 from the port 3|. This live steam is then admitted to the port 38 in the steam cylinder 2 for driving the piston 3 from right to left, as when viewing Figure 1. During movement of the piston 3 from right to left, steam is exhausted from the steam cylinder 2 through the port 31, the port 35, passage 51 and through the port 33 which communicates with the exhaust passage 32.

When the steam piston 3 reaches the end of the steam cylinder 2 in its movement from right to left, the valve rod 8 is moved to shift the pilot valve 6 to the position of Figure 6. Live steam is then admitted to the bore I8 from the live steam chamber 22 through the port 39 and subsequently from the port 4I for driving the main piston valve 1 from left to right, as when viewing Figure 6. Movement of the main piston valve 1 from left to right exhausts steam from the bore I8 through the port 42, passage 44 and the exhaust port 33. With the main piston valve 1 in the position of Figure 6, live steam is admitted to the port 31 in the steam cylinder 2 from the port 35, the passage 56, the port 30, and also from the passages 52, 54, 53, and the port 3|. As the steam piston 3 moves from left to right in the steam cylinder 2 steam is exhausted from the steam cylinder through the ports 38 and 36, passage 51 and the port 33.

Figures through 17 illustrate a different type of steam cylinder valve gear wherein the valve chest body 60 comprises a single casting in association with steam chest heads 6| for closing the ends of the Ibore 62. This body is provided with a second bore 63 within which is slidably mounted a pilot valve 64 of the piston type, a main piston valve 65 being slidably mounted in the bore 62.

The body 60 is provided with a live steam cham ber 66 which terminates in a port 61 extending circumferentially of the bore 62 and communicating therewith. An exhaust steam chamber 68 is also provided in the body 68, this chamber terminating in ports 69 and 16 extending circumferentially of the bore 62 and having communication therewith. In addition, the body 66 includes ports 1| and 12 which also are shaped to extend circumferentially about the bore 62 for communication therewith. The ports 1| and 12 are similar to the ports 35 and 36 of Figures 4 and 6 in that they perform steam admitting and exhaustlng functions with respect to the steam cylinder (not shown).

The main piston valve 65 includes end heads 13 and 14 which have peripheral engagement with the wall of the bore 62. Axially spaced flanges 15 and 16 are also incorporated in the main piston valve 65 for peripheral engagement with the wall of the bore 62. Webs 11 fixedly connect the head 13 with the flange 15, which webs are spaced one from the other circumferentially of the main piston valve. In the same way, the head 14 -is xedly connected with the ange 16 by webs 18, which webs are also spaced one from the other circumferentially of the main piston valve. Thus the main piston valve 65 is similar to the main piston valve 1 and includes 3 cilrcumferentially extending passages 19, 80, and 8 Communication is established between the ports 69, 61, and 18, and the bore 63 through the medium of ports 82, 83, and 84, respectively. Live steam ports and 86 lead from the bore 63 to the bore 62, each port having a starting passage 81 leading'to one end of the bore 62. Two exhaust steam ports 88 and 89 also lead from the bore 63 to the bore 62, each port opening into the bore 62 a short distance from the one end thereof. Thus the main piston valve 13 operates to cut-off communication between the bores 62 and 63 before the piston reaches the end of either stroke to cushion the piston valve.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the pilot valve 64 in an intermediate position, which pilot valve may be operatively connected with a lever and link system identical' with that shown in Figure 1. Figures 14 and 15 illustrate the pilot valve in one extreme position, while Figures 16 and 17 illustrate the pilot valve in its other extreme position. The pilot valve 64 is provided with three axially spaced circumferential grooves 98, 9|, and 92 to provide three annular passages 93, 94, and 95, the passage 94 constituting a live steam chamber. Thus the pilot valve 64 comprises two cylindrical end portions 96 and 91 and two axially spaced piston bodies 98 and 99.

With the pilot valve 64 adjusted to the position of Figures 14 and 15, live steam is admitted from the port 83 to the annular passage 94 for delivery to the port 86 for driving the main piston valve 13 from right to left, as When viewing Figure l5. During such movement of the main piston valve 65, steam is exhausted from the bore 62 through the port 86 and the port 82 for delivery to the exhaust port 69. Figure 14 illustrates the ports 88 and 82 as being uncovered by the cylindrical portion 96 and the piston body 98, so that the annular passage 93 places these .ports in communication one with the other.

With the main piston valve positioned according to Figure 15, live steam is admitted from the port 61 to the passage 88 and the port il for delivery to one end of the steam cylinder, the port 1| corresponding to the port 35 of Figure i. Exhaust Steam from the steam cylinder is admitted from the port 12 through the passage BI to the port 16 for delivery to the exhaust chamber 66. Fig-l ure 11 illustrates the body 66 as being provided with threaded openings |66 and |65, having ccm munication with the chambers 66 and 68, respectively. Live steam inlet and exhaust pipes (not shown) may-be threaded into the bores |88 and Il respectively.

Upon movement of the pilot valve 66 to the po-v sition of Figures 16 and 1'?, live steam is admitted from the port 83 to the passage 94 and the port 85 into the other. end: of the bore 62. Steam aclmitted to the bore 62 drives the main piston valve. 65 from left to right, as shown in Figure-16. With the main piston valve G positioned as shown, live steam is admitted from the port B1 tothe passage 8S and the port 1.2, thelattercorrespond-ing to the port 36 of Figure l. Exhaust steam from the steam` cylinder'exhausts into the port i I, the pas. sage I9 and the port 69. As the main piston valve 55 moves from left to right, steam exhausts from the bore 52 through the port 89, the passage. 95, and the port 8d communicating with the port 'Ill'.

The. steam chest heads 6| are attachedl tothe body G5 by bol-ts i 92, gaskets |93 being interposed.

between the heads and the adjacent ends ofA theV v body ii. Packing IM is provided for the pilot valve 55, which packing is compressed by glands- IIJ5.

In a construction such as that shown in. Figures I0 through 17., live steam is admitted to the passage M only in any position of the pilot valve 54. Exhaust steam only is admittedl toV either of the passages $3 and 95. Thus the-.port arrangement is such that the packing |04: is` subjected to er haust steam pressure-only so that less gland pressure is required on thepacking.

Figure 9 illustrates a steam valve gear identicall with that of Figures 1 through 8 with the exception that the port of Figure-8 is either omitted or plugged. The construction of Figure 9 is usei-ul` in vacuum pump installations and other services where thepump .operates at exceptionally low speed and on low pressure. Such pumps occasionally stop for the reason. that there is not suiiicient steam pressure in the chamber 22 to throw the main piston valve 'I:. Accordingly, Figure S-illustrates a livestearn supply pipe IIJBas having communication with the chamber 22 to supply steamat higher pressure for throwing the main pistonv valve.

Referring to Figures 4, 6, and8, the pilot valve 5: is provided with spaced fingers I'I! which engagev flat faces IIfI on the valve rod 8. While the pilot valve (inlay shift laterally of-thevalve rod 8, perpendicularly to the valve face 24; the pilot valve is restrained from relative shifting longitudinally of the valve rod 8. A spring I I2 has one end anchored to a lug I I3 xed to the pilot valve 5 and is shaped to engage underneath the valve rod 8l to cause the pilot valve to bear on the valve face 2t. This provides aconstruction wherein the pilot valve is brought into proper sealing engagement with the valve face 2d when the cover 2| is assembled with the steam chest bodyr I9. In addition, the spring compensates for wear on the pilot valve, the valve face or both.

The Valve rod 8 passes through a packing I|4 in the cover 2|, which packing is placed under compression by glands I I5.

Bolts I lsecure the valve chest heads `2|? to the ends of the body I9, gaskets- II'I being interposed between the heads and the body.

In vthe structure of Figures 1v through 8, the ports 39, 40, di, and d2 are ofthe bored type. Figure 3 illustrates `those'portionsof the ports extending through the ends of the body I9 as being threaded at |I'I for reception oi plugs. In lieuof boring, the ports may be cored. While the cover 2| co-acts with the body I 9 to provide a live steam chamber 22, all the ports and passages are formed in the body I9. The port 26 of Figure 8 may alsobe bored or cored. In arranging the ports in the manner shown, all the ports are contained in a single body, which eliminates the necessity of forminga multiplicity of co-acting ports inv a,

second member, as is required in steam chest con. structions wherein a cover or equivalent member is provided with ports` in continuation of those in the principal body structure of the steam chest.

The structure. of Figures 10 through 14 is also similar to the structure of Figures 1 through S with respect to port `construction and arrangement. While Figuresv 10 through 14 show ports of the cored type, all the ports are contained in a single body, and their arrangement is such that the ports may be bored and subsequently plugged Where necessary. It is obvious. that where necessary the ports 82, 83, 8d; 85, 855, S8 and @Si may be bored by driiling transversely through the bore 63 which contains the pilot valve et, and then plugging the unnecessary lengths of the bores.

While Figures 1 through 8A employ a flat valve face 2li and a pilot valve having a fiat face coacting with the valve face 2t, the structure of' liiigures 10 through 14 is functionally similar in this respect in that the Wall face oi the bore 63 denes a chamber for the pilot valve Se and also constitutes a valve face co-active with the cylindrical face of the pilot valve 64. In the structure of Figures l through 8, the pilot valve is housed between the cover 2| and the steam chest body I9, while in the structure of Figures 10 through 14 the upper part of the body dening the bore 63 also constitutes a cover formed integrally with the body 50.

In Figure 8, the steam chest body I 9Yis provided, with a passage I I8 through which lubricant may be admitted inside the steam chest body on the live steam inlet side. This passage is closed by a plug I I9. The steam cylinder 2 oi Figure 1 is provided With a manually adjustable cushion valve 20 at, each end, the steam cylinder starting ports I 2| passing through the valve.

In allthe forms, the main` piston valves are gcnerally hollow and provided with passages so that steam is caused to ilow alternately through the piston` valves as they move from one end to the other of their respective bores. The passages in andi aboutV the piston valves are of such proportions as to provide unrestricted the various ports, and the flow of steam through the piston. valves results in an even expansion of, the metal due to the heat balancing arrangement of the passages in the piston valves.

It will be understoodv that the invention is not to be limited to the specic construction or arrangement of parts shown, but that they may be Widely modified within the invention defined by the claims.

While the term. port has been hereinbefore used to describe the annular chambers Si), 35, 33., 36, and 3|, it will be understood that in the following claims itis used-in a broader sense so that it also includes other types of openings for the passage of steamintoandout of the bore i8.

What is claimed is:

1 Inra steam cylindervalvegear, an elongated housinghaving a cylindrical bore and steam ports adjacent each end of the bore, pilot valve means f QI Controlling the flow of steam to and from said steam ports, a steam cylinder having a piston reciprocably mounted therein, said housing having :tive axially spaced ports opening into the cylindrical bore, steam passage means for connecting the middle port to exhaust, steam passage means connecting one of the two intermediate ports toone end of` thev steam cylinder, steam passage means connectingthe other intermediate port to the other end of the steam cylinder, steam passage means for connecting the two end ports to ow of steam toV a source of steam, a piston valve having end flanges and two axially spaced intermediate flanges reciprocably mounted in the cylindrical bore, said piston valve having a hollow interior be tween the two end flanges, said piston valve having openings between the end anges and the ini termediate anges to connect the bore to the hollow interior, said piston valve flanges and said ports being constructed and arranged so that when the piston valve is in its limiting position at the proximal end of the bore the end port of that end of the bore will lie between the end ange and the adjacent intermediate flange of the valve, the proximal intermediate port and the middle port will lie between the intermediate flanges, and the distal intermediate port and the distal end port will lie between the distal intermediate flange and the distal end flange whereby the two end ports will communicate with the distal intermediate port to deliver steam to one end of the piston and the proximal intermediate port will communicate with the middle port to exhaust steam from the other side of the piston.

2. In a steam cylinder valve gear, an elongated housing having a cylindrical bore, steam passages connecting the first end of the bore to a rst exterior section of the housing, steam passages connecting the second end of the bore to a second exterior section of the housing, said housing having five axially spaced ports opening into the cylindrical bore, a steam passage connecting the middle port to a third exterior section of the housing between the rst and second exterior sections, steam passage means for connecting the middle port to exhaust, steam passage means for connecting the first end port and the second end port to a source of steam, a steam cylinder having a piston reciprocably mounted therein, steam passage means connecting the first intermediate port to one end of the steam cylinder, steam passage means connecting the second intermediate port to the other end of the steam chamber, a piston valve having first and second end flanges and rst and second axially spaced intermediate anges, said valve being reciprocably mounted in said bore so that the rst flanges are in the rst half of the bore and the second flanges are in the second half of the bore, said piston valve being hollow between the two end flanges and having openings between the end flanges and the intermediate flanges to connect the bore to the hollow interior, said flanges and said ports being arranged and constructed so that when the piston valve is in its limiting position at the first end of the bore the rst end port lies between the rst end flange and the rst intermediate flange of the valve, the first intermediate port and the middle port lie between the rst and second intermediate anges, and the second intermediate port and second end port lie between the second intermediate flange and the second end flange, a cover attached in fluid tight relationship to the housing over the rst, second, and third sections to which the steam passages are connected, means for admitting steam to the inside of the cover, a pilot valve reciprocably mounted in the cover, said pilot valve having means coacting with the steam passage connections so that when the pilot valve is in a first limiting position the rst end of the bore is connected to the middle port and the second end of the bore is connected to the steam admitting means and when the piiot valve is in a second limiting position the first end of the bore is connected to the steam admitting means andthe second end of the bore is connected to the middle port, and means connecting the piston to the pilot valve so that reciprocable movements of the former actuate reciprocable movements of the latter.

ERIC J. LIFNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

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